Yachting: Team NZ race Artemis after Italian snub

Name: Team NZ: Racing against Artemis
Uploaded: 2013-08-05T14:50:28+12:00
Duration: 86 s
Description: What began as a day's training on the water all of a sudden became a day of pre start practice against Artemis racing who were out on the Bay also. It was the first time the two AC72's from each team had met up on the water.

Herald online

5 Aug, 2013 01:15 AMQuick Read

What began as a day's training on the water all of a sudden became a day of pre start practice against Artemis racing who were out on the Bay also. It was the first time the two AC72's from each team had met up on the water.

Emirates Team New Zealand went up against Artemis Racing today in some impromptu race practice on San Francisco Bay.

The teams had never before lined up together in their AC72s. Practice race starts had been arranged with Luna Rossa but the Italians returned to the dock before they could take place.

With Luna Rossa heading back to the dock and Artemis was practising time-on-distance nearby a shouted conversation across the water quickly arranged another training partner.

Dean Barker was more than happy with the arrangement.

"Artemis was keen to get into it ...it's always good to practice with another team. We learned a lot today from a different opponent. Artemis was aggressive in the pre-start and the five starts added another dimension to the team's development," Barker said.

Artemis faces off against Luna Rossa in the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series. The first race is on Wednesday (NZT).

Team New Zealand will be back on the water tomorrow to continue preparations for the Louis Vuitton Cup final which starts on August 17